Nostrils work by alternating their airflow dominance in a cycle controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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The Nasal Cycle: Your nostrils don't work in perfect unison. Instead, they alternate in taking the primary role of airflow. This is called the nasal cycle.
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Autonomic Control: This cycle isn't something you consciously control. It's managed by your autonomic nervous system, the same system that regulates your heart rate and breathing.
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Erectile Tissue: Inside your nose, between your nostrils, there's erectile tissue. This tissue can become engorged with blood, causing it to swell.
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Airflow Regulation: The autonomic nervous system deliberately directs more blood to the erectile tissue on one side of your nose. This swelling partially obstructs airflow in that nostril, causing more air to flow through the other nostril.
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Why the Cycle? The purpose of this cycle isn't entirely understood, but some theories suggest:
- Moistening: Allowing one nostril to rest helps prevent excessive drying of the nasal passages.
- Olfactory Sensitivity: Alternating airflow might improve the sense of smell by allowing each nostril to better detect different odors.
- Preventing Resistance: Constantly pushing all the air through the same nostril could lead to increased resistance to airflow over time.
In summary, your nostrils work in an alternating cycle, controlled by your autonomic nervous system, to regulate airflow and potentially optimize moistening and smell.
